Home of the 2016 Olympics, Rio De Janeiro is one of the most popular cities in all of Brazil, with tourists from all over the world traveling to its city limits. Filled with beautiful scenery, which include historical monuments, transparent waters and interesting attractions, Rio’s gained more and more attention in recent years. From its birds-eye view at the top of Sugarloaf Mountain to the uplifting neighborhood of Lapa, Rio is a destination worth experiencing at least once in your life.

1. Ipanema Beach
If you’re looking for great place to sit out and catch some rays, then Ipanema Beach is your go-to move. The beach is surrounded by five-star hotels and great places to eat, giving this area of Rio a higher-class feel. A great place to stay is Fasano, not only is this high-quality hotel frequented by the likes of John Travolta and Madonna, it’s also steps away from one of the world’s best beaches. With clear water and that perfect tan sand, Ipanema Beach is a part of Rio that tourists crave on vacation.

© Eloise Acuna

2. Candelária Church
Tourists that are interested in religious landmarks should visit the Candelária Church, which was the first church established in Rio, dating back all the way to 1630. The church got its name from a boat under the same name that experienced a terrible accident that prevented the family on board from landing in Rio. They agreed if they ever landed in Rio they would honor the boat by building a church, naming it after the vessel. Through years of depreciation, this church has had renovations to preserve its historical influence.

© Jonas de Carvalho

3. Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer)
Filled with outstanding history, lying within the city limits, is Cristo Redentor, also known as Christ the Redeemer. It’s perched atop Corcovado Mountain, one of the highest mountains in Brazil (the tallest in Rio) — an extraordinary sight to see. This monument can be reached by climbing a seemingly never-ending set of stairs, 222 in fact. For those that don’t want to make the trip up, it can also be reached by railways and elevators.

4. Sugarloaf Mountain
Another mountain that may be a tad bit easier to reach, and equally as popular, is Sugarloaf Mountain. The journey can be taken through cable cars, but make sure not to look down if you’re scared of heights. Once on top, there’s a magnificently-unique, 360-degree view of Rio. Timing your ascent with the sunset will leave you holding your breath in amazement by the beauty.

© Mark Pegrum

5. The Town of Lapa
The town of Lapa is known for its exciting nightlife and uplifting environment. Although, in the 1970s that wasn’t the case, as it used to be a dangerous part of Rio. Since then, it’s experienced quite the revival, becoming a popular area for tourists and residents that are in search of a great nightlife. One part of this vibrant neighborhood that’s highly recommend is the Escadaria Selaron. These are stairs that are covered by colorfully-decorative tiles, that have turned a boring set of stairs into a culturally rich part of Rio that people flock towards.

© Eloise Acuna